S.B. COUNTY: ‘Be a Santa to a Senior' with gifts

The Home Instead Senior Care office is partnering with retailers and community organizations to ensure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the âBe a Santa to a Seniorâ program.

âSeniors faced with medical bills and the high cost of living can find they have little left at the end of the year,â said Geneva Labate, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving the San Bernardino County cities of Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Grand Terrace, Highland, Mentone, Redlands and Colton. âThatâs not the only issue, though. Personal needs may become magnified for so many living alone with no one to share their problems.â

The U.S. Census Bureau states that 9 percent of seniors 65 and older are living in poverty nationwide and 27 percent are widowed.

With the support of senior care agencies and partners, retailers, volunteers and residents, the Home Instead office will collect and distribute gifts to seniors who might otherwise spend the holiday alone.

âBe a Santa to a Seniorâ kicked off Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20, and will run through Dec. 14. Christmas trees at various locations will be decorated with ornaments carrying the first names of seniors and their gift requests.

Holiday shoppers are asked to pick an ornament off the tree, buy the items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, with the ornament attached. The Home Instead Senior Care office will then enlist volunteer help to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts.

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